$70M Risperdal Verdict

Wooden gavel from the court and law book isolated on white background. Shallow DOF

In the Philly Inquirer July 2, 2016:

Philadelphia jury pins $70m verdict on Janssen for its Risperdal drug

A Philadelphia jury found Friday that the antipsychotic drug Risperdal caused a Tennessee boy to grow breasts and imposed a $70 million verdict on its manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Lawyers for the boy argued that scientists for the company were well aware of the risks and sought to downplay them. The company disputed that allegation during the Common Pleas Court trial and said that physicians were fully informed of potential side effects.

It was the fifth Risperdal lawsuit tried in Philadelphia, and by far the largest verdict so far. Earlier verdicts ranged from $500,000 to $2.2 million.

“The jury got angry at these people; they don’t take responsibility,” said Stephen Sheller, one of the boy’s lawyers.